The 2022 US Open has set a record $60.1 million in total player compensation as per the US Tennis Association on Thursday. The tournament will be awarding $2.6 million to the singles champion, twice the runner-up total. The prize money leaps over the old mark of $57.5 million from last year, with a focus on improving payouts for players in early rounds.
That means a gain of $80,000 for each singles competitor in the main draw first round and $121,000 in the second round. These figures are hikes of 85% and 57% respectively since 2016. The USTA arrived at the figures after working with the WTA and ATP Player Councils. There will be more than $6.25 million distributed in qualifying rounds.
Doubles champions will be paid $688,000 per team, twice what the runner-up duo will receive. Main draw matches for this year’s final Grand Slam event in New York hardcourts are set to start on 29 August.
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Total breakdown of US Open prize pool:
Main Draw - Singles
Champion - $2,600,000
Runner-Up - $1,300,000
Semifinalist - $705,000
Quarterfinalist - $445,000
Round of 16 - $278,000
Round of 32 - $188,000
Round of 64 $121,000
Round of 128 - $80,000
Main Draw - Doubles (each team)
Champion - $688,000
Runner-Up - $344,000
Semifinalist - $172,000
Quarterfinalist $97,500
Round of 16- $56,400
Round of 32 - $35,800
Round of 64 - $21,300
The US Open also marks the return of Rafael Nadal to Grand Slam tennis after he pulled out of the 2022 Wimbledon in the semi-final because of an injury. Addressing his return to the Grand Slam event, he said, “I am positive. In terms of practice, I need to start to be in a Grand Slam mode, practising the way that I need to practise to be competitive since the beginning there, and I hope I will be able to make that happen."
“I need to move forward and just start to think about the energy that the crowd gives me in New York. I know it’s a very special place for me, and I enjoy it, unforgettable moments there, and I’m going to try my very best every single day to be ready for that," he added.